Saber Interactive has taken the step of appending an artificial‑intelligence disclaimer to the Steam store page for its title Rideshare Simulator after a wave of controversy erupted over claims that the company had dismissed a human writer in favor of AI‑generated text. The notice, which now appears prominently on the game’s storefront, is intended to clarify the extent of AI involvement and to address the allegations that a key member of the development team was replaced by a machine. The full text of the added disclaimer reads as follows: "This update follows recent statements made by Saber Interactive CEO Matt Karch concerning former writer Stella Sacco, who was employed by the studio from July 2023 until July 2024. Ms.
Sacco has publicly asserted that she was removed from the Rideshare Simulator project midway through its development cycle and that her responsibilities were subsequently taken over by ChatGPT, along with other undisclosed uses of artificial intelligence throughout the creation of the game." In a series of interviews and social‑media posts, Karch responded to Sacco’s accusations by saying that she had "been replaced by someone more talented and terminated for a variety of reasons a few months later," and added, somewhat controversially, that "in retrospect I would have been happy to replace her with AI." He went on to claim that his personal knowledge of Sacco was limited. "Stella who?
I had to ask Claude because I have never spoken to her or seen her," Karch told the podcast This Week In Videogames. He also noted that the studio had already announced the use of AI for particular components of the game and promised to update the Steam page once the final feature set was locked down. Karch framed the decision to incorporate AI as a consumer‑friendly move. "We view our use of AI in this lower‑priced title as a value‑add for players," he said, suggesting that the technology would help keep the price point accessible while still delivering a polished experience.
The controversy deepened over the weekend when Sacco posted on the social‑networking platform BlueSky, stating that Karch had "apologised unreservedly for the awful way he spoke about me in the press." She wrote, "I've been firm from the beginning that I was telling the truth; I think we can all now agree that it's been borne out. Matt expressed a desire to make it right with me; at this time I don't really know what that looks like for me, and I'll have to take some time to sit with it, but I do at least accept his apology." Karch also issued a separate public statement on LinkedIn, where he admitted that his emotional reaction had clouded his judgment.
"I unfortunately got triggered by certain later comments (for reasons I won't get into) and shot first and thought second about how to respond," he wrote. "It happens and I am a human being.
I have done what I can to rectify." The fallout from this dispute highlights a broader industry conversation about the appropriate role of AI in game development. On one hand, studios argue that AI tools can accelerate content creation, reduce costs, and enable smaller teams to produce high‑quality assets. On the other hand, critics warn that over‑reliance on machine‑generated text or art could marginalize creative professionals, erode job security, and lead to a homogenisation of style. In the case of Rideshare Simulator, the core gameplay revolves around managing a ridesharing service, balancing driver schedules, passenger demand, and urban traffic.
The narrative elements—tutorial dialogues, in‑game notifications, and marketing copy—are the areas where AI was reportedly employed. While the mechanics themselves remain handcrafted by the development team, the supplemental prose that guides players through the experience appears to have been partially or wholly generated by large‑language‑model systems such as ChatGPT.
Industry analysts note that the use of AI for such auxiliary content is becoming more common, especially in lower‑budget titles where resources are stretched thin. However, transparency is crucial. Players and the broader gaming community have begun to demand clear labeling when AI is used, not only to set expectations about quality but also to address ethical concerns about attribution and the displacement of human writers. Saber Interactive’s decision to add the disclaimer can be seen as a reaction to that growing pressure.
By openly acknowledging the presence of AI, the company aims to pre‑empt further accusations of deception. Yet the apology from Karch underscores that the interpersonal fallout—between a former employee and senior leadership—remains a sensitive aspect of the saga.
Looking ahead, the incident may prompt other developers to adopt more rigorous internal policies regarding AI usage, including documented consent from staff, clear attribution of AI‑generated material, and defined boundaries for when a machine can replace a human contributor. Some studios are already experimenting with hybrid workflows, where AI drafts a first version of text that is then refined by a professional writer to ensure tone, consistency, and brand voice. For players of Rideshare Simulator, the immediate impact is likely minimal on the core gameplay experience. The AI‑generated content primarily concerns the ancillary narrative layers, which, while important for immersion, do not fundamentally alter the simulation mechanics.
Nonetheless, the controversy serves as a reminder that the gaming community values honesty about development processes, and that studios must balance efficiency gains from AI with the responsibility to treat creative staff fairly. In summary, Saber Interactive’s new AI disclaimer on the Steam page represents an effort to be transparent after a public dispute involving former writer Stella Sacco and CEO Matt Karch.
The CEO’s public apology, combined with his admission of a hasty, emotionally‑driven response, reflects the human side of a rapidly evolving technological landscape. As AI continues to permeate the gaming industry, the conversation sparked by this episode will likely influence how studios communicate about AI, protect their workforce, and maintain the trust of their audiences.